http://randomhouseindia.wordpress.com/2013/08/22/how-to-get-over-a-broken-heart-in-two-hours/
Hello Everyone,
This is a review of the book ''He loves me not'' by Vrushali Telang.
Firstly Judging by the title(I mean going by the name), I would never ever pick up such a book ( I think such books are chick-lit and very brainless, but this is some book which will make an impact either small or micro or large or macro.(I happened to get hands on it, I postponed reading it for several days and finally finished it in few hours at night) It has no clutter , It is to the point and is unputdownable. Even the blurb written on the back of the book may fool you, this book is well-written.
The book mainly deals with fate of 2 persons , one is ''Jimmy'' and the other is ''Mehroo''.Both are brought up in Mumbai and in their broken families and messed up culture.Mehroo is working ( not hard working but working to just meet her demands initially) , Jimmy is living off her and using her.(Practically doing nothing).The life goes as usual and normal in their flats.Mehroo is a loner who always does glass paintings and sells them and Jimmy just tries to hobnob with the wealthy at salons, events, parties etc .His friend introduces him to the world of easy money (Horny uber-rich aunties with a carnal desire of _-_ looking for good-looking young 'in need' people to satisfy their whims, fancies and all that is lacking in their lives).
Day by day Jimmy starts getting rich (Money and also International branded watch, shoes, Gold chain,Sunglasses,Electronics, Armani clothing, Luxury life etc ) and doesn't realize his downfall has started and thinks his life will be that way forever and that the lady he is doing his 'work' with actually loves him and so showers him with all the gifts.When she dumps him 'casually' in Goa when he begins to shows his love and feelings towards her he realizes the brutality of life.He cannot go back home as he said some harsh words to his father (His mother left his father for the latter's boss-actually ran away)when his father confronted him on his 'work' as he got suspicious when he is not asking him any money ,so his father shut the door on his face and so he has only one place to go i.e the friend of him who introduced him to the rich women in a party.Unfortunately he also gets dumped by his paying woman saying you may also act love struck anytime and thereby both of them lose their jobs.Ohh btw both of them and all their circle of friends are aspiring wannabe stars, actors etc( The many people you see in Mumbai spoiling their lives with vain hopes).So he heads back to his friend who is furious over him but finally accepts him in his shack which is filthy, has no water supply or any other amenities.(Jimmy realizes how he lived king size at home).
He lives on street food consisting of chai and pav.That being his staple diet daily, he suffers from a range of illnesses from diarrhoea , fever to unconsciousness from dehydration.His friend after returning from his job of 'bit roles' in movies nurses him back to life.He at that point misses Mehroo, his childhood sweet heart who he recklessly never cared or bothered for and when she confronts him , he easily gets rid of her saying that she is unattractive, downmarket etc.The girl then cries, goes over all the phases of heart break and finally comes out strong and smart.(She makes rich connections and becomes spiritual love guru to them and starts something called ''Boot camp love'' and gets featured in mags, becomes rich and gets discussed in elite circles.)
She makes the world think that she is finally at ease with the way she is and maybe got enlightenment from a single breakup and by doing a 'Bharat Darshan' of various ashrams, meditation centres, classes , she learns the tricks of the trade and starts doing brisk business.The way people think they are a gypsy is funny! The girl who was never out of her coccoon(her residence and nearby areas) starts wandering and discovers the beauty of travel and thinks herself as a wanderer.(Born to wander whatever,While I was reading this book , I was playing Shakira's Gypsy (I am a recently turned Rafa's hardcore fan btw) on the phone and it felt funny.:P) On the other hand Jimmy vows to change his lifestyle, apologizes to his father, sells all the branded wear he has to start a Gym ( He loved his body, working out and his hair as mentioned in the book) and he works hard and realizes what is called the 'Dignity of Labour'.You can guess the ending, he tries to woo Mehroo back into his life, she refuses when he proposes saying ( I love myself too-This was the most stupid line seriously! ).
The once boring, life-less Mehroo finally came out of her nest and from her habit of reading magazines and other stuff becomes smart enough to earn 'very big' money and thinks she is a gypsy( A wanderer who is 'just happy being single forever'?) and Jimmy who lived all the luxurious life and is back to a hardworking middle class guy and starts respecting the 2 relations he was left with-his pa and granny.The thing I liked about this book is , it is so real and you can see many such people in real life.Mehroo knows Jimmy is using her but she prefers to hide that in her subconscious mind and 'loves' Jimmy because of convenience of _-_ with a hot ,well -maintained guy who she has known all her life and refuses to break her monotony of life.( I hate to call a girl slut but when she was willingly doing it and knows that someday breakup is imminent and still she does it, it means only one thing-She is not regretting it and this is a lesson for guys who think they are using some girl but the reality happens to be otherwise.In that deep grey cells the truth that lies is that the girl is using the guy!) Okay so I'm not saying 'Mehroo' character is bad but just normal somehow.''See we tend to chose the kind of reality we accept''.
And finally ''Do read the book, you''l love it , you may even relate to some of the characters in the book or you may learn new things from the book.The editing is really good, story is fast-paced and is a must read to all the 20 somethings out there though you do not belong to Mumbai.The writer has a great knowledge of several brands and other stuff.Hats off! This is a no-nonsense book.I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.The book will heal you somehow, I promise it won't dissapoint.As for me I felt comforted by the fact that there are several stupid people in the world and I needn't worry as I am far better.Just kidding :P
Mata Meher(Mehroo): True Love is all about loving oneself.And it's only when you love yourself that you can love the world!, ''For any decision we make there will always be prizes and prices.''
Thanks for reading.Sayonara.:) -Kavya Seetala.
“Education is what remains after one has forgotten everything he learned in school.”-Albert Einstein.
The cute trio once upon a time.<3
Love, Kavya Seetala.:)
